The inspections were carried out on Wednesday (Jan 7), led by Phuket Vice Governor Teeraphong Chuaychoo under the directive of Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn, according to an official report.
Mr Teeraphong also chaired the first meeting of the Provincial Slaughterhouse Business Plan Review Committee for 2026, held at the Bandit Pig Slaughterhouse in Srisoonthorn, where officials assessed operations as part of the annual evaluation required for licence renewal.
Authorities explained that the evaluation process is mandated under public health laws and provincial policy, with a focus on ensuring slaughterhouses and animal holding facilities comply with hygiene standards, food safety requirements and animal welfare regulations.
“The objective is to ensure that meat entering the food chain meets required standards and reaches consumers safely,” the official report noted, adding that the inspections are intended to build public confidence in locally supplied meat products.
During the site visit, the inspection team assessed multiple aspects of the facility, including the structural condition of buildings, cleanliness of the environment and slaughtering procedures designed to prevent contamination.
Officials also examined waste and wastewater management systems, as well as the knowledge, understanding and operational practices of staff. These factors were described as critical to controlling animal diseases and reducing risks to public health.
Vice Governor Teeraphong said Phuket places strong emphasis on rigorous and continuous inspections to ensure slaughterhouses maintain standards required by law.
“This process is not only for licence renewal, but also a confirmation of social responsibility, consumer safety and proper animal welfare,” he said. “Operators must strictly adhere to these standards in order to build long-term confidence among the public.”
The inspections come amid ongoing efforts by provincial authorities to resolve longstanding concerns surrounding unlicensed slaughterhouses operating in Phuket.
As previously reported by The Phuket News, officials last year moved to address the issue of unlicensed slaughterhouses following complaints related to hygiene, safety and unfair impacts on licensed meat traders.
At that time, provincial discussions revealed that only two licensed private slaughterhouses were operating in Phuket, with capacity insufficient to meet demand. This had led some operators to continue slaughtering animals outside authorised facilities, raising serious public health concerns.
Authorities subsequently outlined measures requiring unlicensed operators to register, comply with sanitation and humane treatment standards, and seek legal remedies through the Administrative Court. Temporary exemptions were also considered to prevent disruptions to meat supply while longer-term solutions, including the development of a centralised slaughterhouse, were explored.
Officials said the current round of inspections and licence evaluations is a continuation of those efforts, reinforcing legal compliance while ensuring that slaughterhouse operations meet modern public health and welfare expectations.
Further inspections are expected to continue throughout the province as part of the 2026 licence renewal cycle.